Just 804 Bottles: Uncover the Rugged Magic of Pabbay, Isle of Barra’s Newest Whisky

Friday, 22 August 2025 at 12:00

West of Scotland, you'll find an archipelago, the Hebrides, divided into the Inner and Outer Hebrides. On one of these islands, Barra, sits a distillery set to release a new range of whisky bottles.

FAQ

Who's launching these new whiskies?
Isle of Barra Distillers.
What's the name of the first bottle in the Tales of the Tides series?
Pabbay.
How many bottles of Pabbay whisky have been produced by the Isle of Barra Distillers?
804.

The distillery in question, Isle of Barra, is located in the Outer Hebrides. To celebrate its soon-to-be 8th anniversary, it's launching a new range of whisky bottles: Tales of the Tides.

Tide is the English term for flood, and this series is inspired by Scottish nature. The first bottle is called Pabbay, and the distillery tells us:

'Our Tales of the Tides series isn't just about whisky, but also celebrates our islands, the people, and the stories surrounded us. Our first release, Pabbay, draws its name and spirit from such a place: a rugged, uninhabited island south of Barra with a rich and gripping past. This tiny island reportedly housed around 20 people before it eventually became uninhabited.'

A partnership with an artist

For the first bottle of the series, a collaboration was formed with contemporary Scottish artist Ellis O'Connor. She has created a piece that 'illustrates the raw emotion and enchanting beauty of the island's story.'

The whisky's name is Pabbay. A second collaboration with O'Connor is in the works but the specifics are yet to be announced.

Details about Pabbay

The whisky is a blend of two whiskies:

Blair Athol aged in 1st Fill Ximénez-Spinola PX Sherry

Islay Single Malt

What are the tasting notes for Pabbay?

The result is the following tasting notes:

Nose: Campfire smoke, sea spray, followed by gentle PX sherry tones of sticky dates, figs, and dark chocolate. Smoked raisins, salted caramel, seared orange peel, earthy moss, and walnut.

Palate: Oily and full-bodied with syrupy toffee and espresso, amplified by maritime peat and black pepper. Smoked plums, cherry preserve, iodine alongside sweet pipe tobacco, and toasted hazelnuts. Culminating in a mezcal-like kick.

Finish: Long and warming. Smoke fades into molasses, cocoa powder, leather, and seaweed, leaving one last touch of spiced fruitcake with cacao.

Where can the whisky be purchased?

Those interested can reserve a bottle via the distillery's official website. Pre-orders are now open at a cost of 44.18 euros. Shipping of the whisky bottles begins in early September. Only 804 bottles are available.